Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore celebrates after making an interception in the fourth quarter of a game in 2013. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)

An email arrived from a relative of the patient. A phone call came later this morning. It took me by surprise. Covering professional sports for 20 years, I have never heard of such a spontaneous act of kindness and caring from an athlete.

Good guys remain in sports. Broncos safety Rahim Moore belongs on the top of that list after what transpired Thursday.

Last Sunday, a Denver man in his 30s — I am withholding his name at the family’s request — ran a 10K in Steamboat Springs and began suffering searing leg pain. Monday, he needed surgery, followed by another operation, and the loss of a major league muscle. He was diagnosed with compartment syndrome. By Thursday night, hope became a stranger, and the family was reeling.

Research led them to Moore, who nearly lost his left leg last season following a similar diagnosis[1]. With help from a 9News staff member, the family emailed the Broncos at 9:40 p.m. Media relations director Patrick Smyth answered and sent a text to Moore at 9:42. Moore told Smyth he wanted to meet them immediately. At 10:15 p.m., Moore sat bedside at a metro-area hospital with the man and his family. He provided information on recovery, encouraged him and formed a prayer circle with the group.

Those in attendance were staggered by Moore’s compassion — and desire to help. Moore was not immediately available for comment on Friday. No surprise. He was helping kids at a Denver-area football clinic.